Château Beychevelle - Saint-Julien 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Vivid deep ruby. Perfumed notes of violet, orange peel and sweet spices complement blackcurrant and blackberry coulis on the enticing nose. Juicy, spicy and youthfully tight, showing a distinct peppery nuance and a hint of cocoa. This midweight appears to be shutting down in the bottle but shows very good depth for the year. A promising Beychevelle. (89(+?) points)

Jamessuckling.com

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

An attractive 2011 with lots of blackberry, hazelnut and walnut character. Medium to full body with chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Better in 2017.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2014

A textbook St.-Julien, offering tightly layered dark plum, currant and blackberry fruit, with a strong graphite spine and dark tar and mouthwatering pastis notes on the finish. A well-built, confident wine. Best from 2017 through 2027

La Revue du Vin de France

15-16 / 20

the5/31/2012

Issu de la plus petite récolte depuis 2003, ce 2011 est d'une belle rondeur, avec un fruité suave. L'ensemble composé à parts égales de cabernet sauvignon et de merlot, est ouvert et rond, avec une finale tendue.

Le Point

15-15,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Fruits noirs, épices, bouche vive, assez tendue, fruitée, vive, bien fruitée, léger en milieu de bouche, petits tanins croquants en finale. Vin qui pourra se boire assez jeune, en attendant les 2010. O= 2017 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Bright ruby-purple. Reticent aromas of fresh red fruits and violet. Then sweet and supple in the mouth, with blueberry pie, red berry and floral flavors lifted by a hint of spicy rhubarb at the back. The finish is long and smooth, with harmonious acidity providing lift. Not the last word in complexity but an easygoing, politely styled Saint-Julien.

TAST

16-16,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Un peu de réduction au nez, vin strict et tendu, un peu plus mince le jour de notre dégustation que certains de ses voisins. L'elévage devrait l'harmoniser.

WeinWisser

16 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

2018-2035

Decanter.com

16,5 / 20

the4/30/2012

Well-expressed Cabernet fruit and typical Beychevelle restrained elegance, with more fruit and depth to show as it matures. Drink 2015-2025.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

A medium-bodied, pleasant, lighter style of St.-Julien, the 2011 Beychevelle reveals a dark plum/ruby color in addition to notes of strawberries, black cherries, new saddle leather and hints of herbs and earth. Refreshing and delicate, it should drink well for 10-15 years.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The Beychevelle 2011 is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked between 14th and 29th September, with twelve days of picking between those dates. The yield is one of Beychevelle’s lowest at 39.5hl/ha with 13.2% alcohol and an IPT of 78. It has decent concentration on the nose, red rather than black fruit: raspberry, cranberry and a touch of pomegranate struck through with graphite and tobacco. It is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry that is showing a little grittiness and chalkiness to its texture. It has crisp acidity and firm backbone with a grainy, masculine, tobacco tinged, tapered finish that is a little raw at present. Tasted April 2012

The Wine Cellar Insider

88-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

With lead pencil, cedar and cassis, the wine is medium bodied and tannic, ending with bright cassis and cranberry. 88-91 Pts

Asian Palate

90-91 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

Nice concentration and density here compared to other St Julien reds. Good to see that the winemaking team was able to balance the dense tannins with the fresh flavour profile. Flavours range from cassis, blackberries to fresh Chinese red dates. A great Beychevelle given the vintage conditions.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/18/2012

Drink 2017-2026 Deep crimson. Delicately, leafily fragrant. On the lighter side but the tannins reined in to keep the balance. Finishes dry but still fragrant. (JH)

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

This has good ripe plum and black cherry fruit woven with a currant eau-de-vie aroma. There's fine-grained structure and an easy, vanilla-tinged finish. Not as dense as the top St.-Juliens.—J.M.